Join us for our monthly Common Ground gathering at Retreat House. On May 18, we welcome long-time Retreat House Partner, Gretchen Martens. Gretchen is an author, workshop and retreat leader, holistic healer, and spiritual companion. She earned a Certificate of Eco-Spirituality in 2022. She is completing a certification in Shamanic Healing through Michael Harner’s Foundation for Shamanic Studies and was accepted into the Shamanic Counseling program. Gretchen is back in Dallas and excited to share an innately human way of being and knowing with the RH community. 

Before there were doctors and hospitals and antibiotics. . . . before there were religions and clergy and sacred texts and spiritual companions. . . .

Before the Western way of knowing, when human beings needed physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, we sought the advice of shaman, medicine people, and other holistic healers. These ancient ways of knowing dating back 15,000 years are foundational to 21st century ways of being. They offer us connection to our shared humanity and access to our own inner voice and personal power that we have sacrificed to Western ways of being. Indigenous tradition honors the place of human beings in the interdependent web of life where all things are alive. It validates the primal human gifts of journeying which the desert mothers and fathers embodied. It embraces personal knowing and personal power espoused in the Gospel of Thomas. It invites a personal relationship with God and the spirits. What would be possible for you as an individual and us as a society if we could reclaim these gifts?

You are welcome to join us for gathering, discussion and lunch. There is no cost for this program. We’d like an RSVP so we have enough food; but if you happen to find you’re in the neighborhood with free time, stop by. There’s always room for you around our table.